Morning journal and courier., 1887-09-29
ANNUAL FAIR

Of the Woodbridge and Bethany Agri-
 cultural Society-The Age of the So-
 ciety-The Ride to the Fair Grounds
 Some of the Awards of Prizes.
 According to the premium lists and posters of the above named society the fair which was held on the grounds of the society yes terday was the twenty-ninth annual exhibi- tions Some of those who remember the or ganization of the society years ago state that the exhibition which was held yesterday was the thirtieth fair of the society and explain the statement by saying that the first fair of the society, which was held partly as an ex- pertinent, was not counted in the list of an nual fairs. The society is one of the oldest of the kind in the State and has held many memorable and fine exhibitions.
 During pleasant days in the fall ride from New Haven to the Woodbridge hills is very enjoyable and many people took the op- portunity to visit the fair yesterday. The air was not clear during the afternoon, which partially obstructed the view of beautiful and many hued autumnal foliage.
 The display in the tent was not up to the usual high standard of the society. This was particularly noticeable in the line of fruits and vegetables, which need not have been the case this year, as the yield of ap- ples and pears has been very prolific. The fruit that was on exhibition was excellent. Some of the plates of grapes were as fine specimens as can be imagined, and some beautiful native peaches were shown. Dr. J. W. Barker, w. w. Peck and others had handsome apples on exhibition s. P. Mar win showed some fine grapes. D. E. Todd was awarded first premium for best collec- tion of pears. The second premium for the same was given to Dr. Barker. N. Wheeler hol ha president of the society. R. c. Newton, John Currie and others contributed to the display of vegetables.
 Dr. Levi Ives, of this city, had on exhibi ton plate of pears of different kinds, some of which were very handsome. The quality of the fruit shown was excellent, but the quantity was not as large as would be ex- pected.
 The cattle that were shown were not many in numbers as have been seen at the fair grounds during some previous years, but the quality of those on exhibition was never excelled at the former fairs of the society. E. O. Pardee and s. P. Newton received first and second premiums respectively for best pairs of fat oxen. N. D. Clark had four pairs of large oxen and received first premium on best single fat OK and several other premi- ums for working oxen. N. P. Merwin was awarded first premium for best pair of six year old oxen. The competition for
  was equally divided between the two exhib itors, Emerson Atwood and c. J. Peck. The
 first premium for four year old oxen was given to N. D. Clark. The town premium for best fifteen pairs of oxen was captured by the town of Bethany. A premium flor best ten pairs of oxen from out of town was taken by string of oxen from Oxford. The first prize for decorated wagon will go to Bethany.
 There was some lively competition for pre- miums for horses which were shown on the track Arthur Baldwin, N. J. Baldwin, Fred Potter, jr., and Henry E. Baldwin were seated behind horses that were tested for speed Arthur Baldwin drove his horse a mile in 2:57 without crowding him to his fastest gait, which is good time for that track He received first prize; the second prize was given to N. J. Baldwin.
 Charles H. Jennings, David Tucker and O.. H. Wakely acted as judges of the merits of the horses entered in the several classes. The secretary and treasurer of the society, Mir. S.. G. Davidson, who has held the office for about score of years, was as busy as ever attending to the various duties of his office. Ernest Hotchkiss officiated as chief marshal. Associated with him were several assistant marshals. The music was furnished by the Tingue band of Seymour, who played, among other airs, the popular BoulanRer march. Visitors may be reasonably sure of some pleasure connected with visit to the Wood- bridge and Bethany fair.